Sheep and Cattle Subsidies

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people claim(a) sheep and (b) cattle subsidy broken down by the geographical areas used by her Department for payment purposes. [20713]

[holding answer 5 December 2001]The table shows the number of people claiming sheep subsidy, broken down into claims received at the nine (former) Regional Service Centres (RSCs) during the 2001 Scheme year application period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the figures for the numbers of people claiming(a) sheep subsidy and (b) cattle subsidy for (i) one animal, (ii) two to five animals, (iii) five to 10 animals, (iv) 10 to 20 animals, (v) 20 to 100 animals, (vi) 100 to 200 animals and (vii) more than 200 animals. [20712]

[holding answer 5 December 2001]The table shows the number people claiming sheep subsidy on the above specified ranges of sheep numbers. This information reflects the 2001 Scheme year and therefore includes claims received at the nine (former) Regional Service Centres (RSCs).

Figures for one to five sheep are nil as the rules for Sheep Annual Premium claims state that the claim must be made on a minimum of 10 sheep.

[holding answer 10 December 2001]To qualify for subsidy on sheep or cattle an individual must be a producer as specified within European Community legislation.

In some circumstances "pets" may qualify but this is subject to detailed regulations. The definition of a producer, with regard to the grant of premiums for sheepmeat and goatmeat, is laid down within Council Regulation 3493/1990. For beef and veal subsidies this definition is in Council Regulation 1254/1999. Copies of these Regulations are available in the House of Commons Library.

Claimants must also meet the specific eligibility requirements of each subsidy scheme. These are also set out in Community legislation.

An overview of how livestock schemes operate within England, and which animals may be eligible for subsidy, is provided on-line at www.defra.gov.uk, under the headings of 'Farming' and 'Cattle and sheep schemes'.

Administration of the livestock subsidy regimes within England is carried out by the Rural Payment Agency (RPA). Local offices of the RPA are able to provide, free of charge, notes for guidance to claimants, which detail the specific rules of the individual schemes.